The city of Korca opens its doors to the BiblioTech model

On the 16th of December 2021, one of the most beautiful technological concepts, BiblioTech, was added to the brand-new library of the south eastern city of Korça. Thanks to the support of UNICEF Albania, the Municipality of Korça embraced the model of BiblioTech, transforming one of the spaces of the public library “Thimi Mitko” into a dedicated tech and innovation hub for children, young people and adults. This investment came in the framework of UNICEF’s commitment to empower and protect children and young people with digital learning and skills to enhance crucial 21st century skills, while learning about online safety and security. The program contributes to the vision of the Municipality of Korça to transform the city into a hub for all enthusiasts of technology and digital learning.

BiblioTech comes as a continuance of the work of UNICEF Albania in Tirana, to offer children and young people spaces with the latest technology equipment where they will have the opportunity not only to learn on digital literacy and online safety, but also to use these spaces to upskill themselves on technology related learning and opportunities.
The Covid-19 pandemic opened everyone’s eyes and highlighted the need to transform many professions and learning from face to face to remote or online. Therefore, thanks to the UNICEF and Municipality of Tirana programme, the talented young people of Korça now will benefit from opportunities accessible in the BiblioTech premises but also online.

BiblioTech premises are all providing “Child Friendly” internet service, filtering and protecting children and young people from child sexual abuse materials and adult pornography.

Mr. Roberto De Bernardi, UNICEF Representative to Albania said with enthusiasm that:
“With this initiative we want young people and all the citizens to come as close as possible to technology and have the opportunity to increase their knowledge on digital skills, online safety and technology. Thanks to the cooperation with the Municiplaity of Korça, the main library of the city and the Internet Service Provider “FastNet”, we are very happy that the model already successfully tested in Tirana’s public libraries is now a reality in Korça. Our longstanding partnership with Korça now upgraded to another level, enhancing children’s and young peoples 21st century skills for the good.

Thanking UNICEF Albania for the support, the Mayor of Korça, Mr. Sotiraq Filo said that:
“This initiative is part of a larger programme both institutions have embraced called “Child Friendly City”. Korça is one of the cities that in cooperation with UNICEF aims to implement this innovative model, which aims to create the best conditions for children and young people to learn, live and thrive in the city, including in child friendly wifi facilities protected from online threats and materials”.

At the end of the event, the Mayor, Mr. Sotiraq Filo and Mr. Roberto De Bernardi signed a Memorandum of Understanding. A dedicated presentation of the model, its services, innovations and benefits were presented for all children and young people present at the launch.
In the coming weeks, the public library “Thimi Mitko” will be equipped not only with other technological equipment but UNICEF Albania will also bring experts in various fields who will provide workshops, information sessions, technology facilitated activities on digital literacy, safety online, information technologies, start-ups etc. for the city’s children and young people.